Goffstown pulls away from Clippers

PORTSMOUTH — Five was an unlucky number for the Portsmouth High School softball team on Monday.

The defending Division II champion Clippers allowed five runs in the fifth inning and dropped to 0-5 on the season after their 9-3 loss to Goffstown at Alumni-Wentworth Field.

Portsmouth trimmed a 4-0 deficit to 4-3 before Goffstown (2-2) responded with its five-run fifth inning, keyed by two-run singles from Sadie Roberge and Haeli Campbell.

“We have struggled this year with hitting the ball like we want to, and fielding the ball,” said Portsmouth coach Kim Grenon. “We are trying to cut down on our defensive errors. We are touching the ball a lot, but we need to find the whole ball.”

The Clippers’ defense let them down in the fourth inning. After two Goffstown batters reached on a passed ball and an error, both came around to score on Hannah Gifford’s double to increase Goffstown’s lead to 4-0.

Portsmouth responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Christina Jones (2-for-3) and Olivia Church. Phoebe Collins drove home the other run on a groundout, plating Abby McDonough. Elise McDonough also singled during the rally.

That momentum was short-lived, however, as Goffstown responded with the five-run inning to put things out of reach.

“That was a huge inning for our team,” said Goffstown coach Matt Fleming. “We have had two losses this season, and both of them came from very bad fourth innings. We really beared down in the fourth, though, to keep it from being worse than it was.”

Fleming was pleased with his team’s offensive performance, and the way it was able to create big innings.“I’m happy because we continued to hit,” he said. “We had the bases loaded with one out and our flex hitter (hits the ball) to center field to clear the bases. That is big.”Those are the type of hits the Clippers have been missing in a season that has been disappointing so far. Portsmouth graduated pitching ace Mariah Crisp but returned several starters from last year’s title team.

“Our offense needs to keep plugging away,” Grenon said. “We have always crushed the ball and we are working to get back to that. We have a lot of video and we will analyze everything to get to crushing the ball like we’re used to.”

The Clippers had only four hits against Goffstown’s Campbell, three of which came during the fourth-inning rally.

“Haeli was great for us today,” said Fleming. “She stayed focused and delivered. She is a good pitcher and she fielded the position well today.”

Campbell had six putouts in addition to striking out four and walking just one in seven innings.

Despite the early-season struggles, Grenon said her team is remaining positive and has a good chemistry that helps her believe it will be able to right the ship.

“The team chemistry is not imploding,” she said. “They are frustrated, but as long as they continue to take that onto the field to improve, we will see success soon.”

Nicole Nanof went 3 for 3 for Goffstown, while Erin Trina was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Tess Barbaro and Sara Pierce scored three runs apiece.

Sarah Jousset pitched all seven innings for Portsmouth, allowing 13 hits and two walks while striking out two.